Antonio de Lancastre de Mello E. Castro has been designing sailing and motor yachts for 25 years, with about 6,000 boats launched to date that include custom boats and One-design production models. His firm is based on the South Coast of England in Southampton
After leaving Ron Holland’s design team in 1980, Castro's first significant racing yacht design was Justine, for Frank Woods of the National Yacht Club, Ireland the first and only yacht to win the One Ton Cup with five straight firsts.
In 1989 he designed three half tonners. 'Miss Piggy', 'Dippin' the Pink' and 'Linn Hi Fi'.
'Dippin' the Pink' was built by Curtiss and Pape in Looe , Cornwall and finished 2nd. in the Admirals Cup in 1989.
'Miss Piggy' finished 4th. in the Half Ton Cup in Howth in 1990.
'Linn Hi Fi' was built for a Scottish owner and raced on the Clyde.
He was appointed by a member of Royal Cork Yacht Club to redesign the J24 to make it into an exciting sports boat. The client expected a bigger mainsail and new deck moulding and an effective keel to give greater stability. However what resulted was the 1720 sportsboat. The boats were built in Co. Kerry, and about 100 were built starting with sail number 1720. Although successful it was considered that the 1720 had some shortcomings. The Laser SB3 ( Sailing boat for three people) addressed all of these shortcomings and is now to be seen worldwide.
He was appointed by a Denis Doyle, a member of Royal Cork Yacht Club to advise on the measurement of 'Moonduster' which had been built more light lightly that had been expected by the Designer Frers, and was floating above her 'marks'. It was too far for Frers to come from Argentina to give the advise. Some lead was fixed to the underside of the coachroof reducing her stability, and giving her an exceptionally good handicap for a boat of her size. 'Moonduster' held the Round Ireland monohull record from Wicklow to Wicklow for about 15 years, until the record was broken by a Whitbread around the World yacht.
He works with many of the world best known boatyards, including the Royal Huisman, Jongert, Palmer Johnson, Neptunus, CS Yachts, Laser, and Jeanneau.
His designs have won prestigious Yacht of the Year awards, a Superyacht Design award and his designs have won several World championships. He has also designed yachts for use in television drama productions by the BBC.